Recreational activities abound in Rio. Extensive sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean in the southern margins of the city are used heavily by both residents and tourists. Tijuca National Park is outside the urbanized area, atop the Serra da Carioca range, and contains remnants of the tropical rain forest that once covered the entire region. Urban parks include Quinta da Boa Vista Park (site of the National Museum, which focuses on natural history), the Botanical Gardens, Lage Park, and Flamengo Park. These parks provide opportunities for a range of recreational activities—including hiking, climbing, hang gliding, jogging, walking, and cycling—for both residents and tourists. Maracaña Stadium, which holds more than 100,000 spectators for soccer games, is located just outside Quinta da Boa Vista Park.
Rio's milestone social event and preeminent tourist attraction each year is Carnival, a major festival held in late February or early March, just prior to the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. During the weeks that precede Carnival, the city receives thousands of tourists. Events include spontaneous street dancing behind popular bandas (marching bands comprised of brass and percussion instruments), formal Carnival balls for nearly every income level, and several days of Sambadrome parades where the best samba schools compete in marathon musical and dance presentations along a specially designed street where thousands of spectators gather to watch the event unfold.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Rio de Janeiro Information info
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